The Carrero Effect - Falling for the Boss (Billionaire CEO) novel Chapter 28

I hand him back his water, throwing him a look of indulgence. A look that says, “all that casual sex?” and he lets me go to take a drink. He empties it and throws it in a nearby trash can, impressed he met his own bullseye. That juvenile boy inside fist pumping at his ability to dunk a plastic bottle.

“Do you really want me to learn how to beat you up, Jake?” I smile cheekily, watching him with amusement.

“Carino. Even if you became a pro boxer, I would still put you on your ass. You’re half my weight class.” He smirks and squeezes my shoulder lightly.

“I don’t even know what that means.” I stop, leaning back to stretch out my limbs and start jogging on the spot to signal I’m recovered enough to continue. He pulls my hood further forward over my face and shoves me in front of him playfully, so that I’ll lead.

“It means that you’ll never be able to beat my ass, girly.” He laughs with a huskiness that is a little too alluring.

“Don’t tempt me,” I warn.

“I like a challenge.”

“Well if beating is what you’re into?” I catch the cheeky glint in his eye and sucker punch him in the ribs playfully before he can finish his sentence. He pushes me away and tries to trip me deliberately, catching my wrists so I don’t fall, and he receives a pout and glare. He rights me on my feet with a laugh and we set off again.

He’s in a childish mood this afternoon … Great! That’s all I need. It’s seriously his worst mode.

We jog on in silence for two blocks before we round a corner and head in a new direction. I take in the unfamiliar streets and surrounding scenery; Seattle seems lower paced and more relaxed than New York but it hasn’t got the same buzzing energy and I kind of like it. It’s a welcome break in our hectic schedule lately.

“What are you thinking about, Miele?” his voice cuts into my thoughts. Jake’s looking at me as we run, and he has to keep pushing his hood back at the side to see my face, the gesture makes him look childish and I smile warmly.

“Wondering where I would dump your body if I beat you to death.” It’s a smug retort.

“It’s like that, is it?” he grins.

“Yep.”

I’m not prepared for the sudden lurch at me as he grabs me by the waist and tips me upside down in mid-air. With his muscles, I’m no more than a gym bag in weight and I squeal in surprise and choke on the sharp intake of breath. He tips me completely over onto my feet so that I’m still bent double but in a head lock, my butt facing away from him with my head against his abdomen. I’m squealing and trying to wrench myself free as he keeps walking, but I’m stumbling backward.

“Jake … Stop it.” I’m laughing stupidly and unable to fight as he has my arms pinned to my sides.

“I can’t. I’m looking for a shady corner so I can administer some much-needed discipline.” He threatens, but he has a playfulness in his voice. He finally releases me and hauls me back up, pulling me against him with an arm around my shoulders and drags me onward. My hood falls free, letting the soft rain cool my heated face while breathless from his antics and disheveled from his manhandling.

“You know how many sexual harassment laws you just broke? I could haul your ass through the courts.” I point out. Laughing hard as I do so.

“With my reputation, my lawyers would probably just settle.” He smirks and winks and I shake my head at him and try to pull my clothes back into their rightful place within the confines of his arm and fail miserably.

“Should stop manhandling the staff then!” I snort, unable to stop giggling as he’s walking fast and making me stumble to keep up.

“Where are we going?”

“A walk … I’m bored at the hotel,” he says dejectedly.

“Are you ignoring my suggestion?” I ask innocently.

“About manhandling my staff?”

“Yes.”

“Yes … There’s no fun otherwise. You were made for manhandling, Ems.” He throws his playful “I’m the shit and it means I get away with it” smile and I fight the urge to sucker punch him again. I pull myself free from his grip and shove his arm off so I can finally adjust my clothes properly. He has them all twisted around me and my hair is falling in my face. He tugs the hair tie out of my ponytail so that it all comes tumbling down and I throw him an exasperated look.

“It was coming down anyway.” He offers by way of an explanation and tosses the hair tie in a dumpster as we pass it.

“Hey,” I sulk. “I don’t have another one with me.”